Last In Series Of Christenings At Bollinger

The last two ships of a 13-ship contract with the U.S. Navy, Thunderbolt (PC 12) andShamal (PC 13), were christened at the Lockport facilities of Bollinger Machine Shop and Shipyard, Inc. on March 11, 1995. Keynote speaker at the ceremony was Congressman John M. Spratt, Jr., Fifth Congressional District, State of South Carolina. The sponsor for PC 12 was Jane Stacy Spratt.

Nora Slatkin, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, served as sponsor for PC 13.

Thunderbolt andShamal will join 11 sisterships stationed in San Diego, Calif., or Little Creek, Va. According to Rear Admiral Raymond C. Smith, Jr., Commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command, eight of the fleet of 13 ships will be actively deployed by the end of the year.